Best Barefoot Lifting Shoes: Are They Good for Strength Training and Weightlifting?

Let’s get things clear from the very beginning — the battle between conventional and barefoot lifting shoes has an obvious winner. A typical pair comes with a heel lift to let your feet perform a wider range of motion without difficulty. In our practice, squats, cleans, and snatches won’t turn out well with limitations like stiff footwear with extra straps, laces, and a narrow toe-box.

Is it worth compromising on your foot and ankle mobility for the heel-lift feature? Our answer is definite — barefoot lifting shoes will help you achieve way more. Let’s see how to get rid of extra thorns on your way to more powerful lifts as an amateur athlete or an Olympic weightlifter.

Can You Wear Barefoot Shoes for Weightlifting?

If you are searching for a silent hero to make your lifts more powerful and stable, don’t overlook the footwear you choose to put on. You can take the most out of your body when your feet are perfectly aligned — that’s where minimalist shoes come in.

Here are key indicators that the models you are interested in are natural:

• Zero-drop — walking in barefoot lifting shoes will be an effective foot-strengthening and muscle-building exercise. However, in our hands-on experience, their efficiency also lies in a wider range of movements available to your feet. Once you get used to them, they will be a nice instrument to reduce pain and discomfort in the knees, ankles, and hips.
• Wide toe box — the last thing you will want to feel when doing lifts is your foot being quizzed by a shoe. Barefoot lifting shoes stand out with wide and extra wide toe box designs for any man or woman. A natural toe splay positively influences your overall stability, body posture, and overall comfort.
• No arch support — on the one hand, this feature is advertised as one to reduce or eliminate painful sensations when walking or running. On the other hand, it doesn’t allow for proper weight distribution on your feet. That’s why your feet are more prone to Achilles tendon and ankle problems, as well as injuries.
• Maximum flexibility — opting for stiff and robust shoes isn’t the most safety-friendly choice you can make when going to the gym. Such models will decrease your foot stability a lot, as well as weaken your foot function in the long run. Taking into account the amount of pressure athletes face when completing lifts, it is a must to ensure maximum foot mobility. You can actually roll up barefoot lifting shoes easily — no threat to their tear and wear resistance. This feature empowers you to maintain control over your movement rather than being dictated by your footwear.

Barefoot lifting shoes are a perfect medium between training in bare feet and wearing shoes with arch support, overly cushioned insoles, or platforms.

What Barefoot Lifting Shoes Will Work for My Needs?

Not all minimalist footwear models are crafted equally. In this guide, we would like to demonstrate how exclusive brands differ from one another and assist in personalizing your shopping strategy. Keep on reading to explore the palette of zero-drop and wide-toe-box shoes perfect for different workout settings.

Vivobarefoot

Pros:

• Vegan products
• True-to-size fits
• Sustainable manufacturing and engineering principles, including its recycled-PU-foam-based Ortholite insoles
• Thin soles for enhanced sensory feedback
• Flexible and lightweight puncture-resistant finish
• 100-day trial for all orders with simple and customer-oriented return and exchange conditions

Cons:

• They might feel too lightweight and not match your personal preferences
• The upper materials tend to lose their beauty pretty soon
• If you suffer from smelly feet, these shoes might not be the best option

Without a doubt, this pioneer in the minimalist shoe industry has one of the most remarkable and podiatrist-approved approaches to styling and producing footwear. Vegan and cruelty-free products Vivobarefoot offers introduce the best barefoot features in your daily wear and training experiences. Zero-drop, foot-shaped, and wide-toe-box solutions with flexible and thin soles are so beloved for a reason — their lasting effects on foot health and strength are remarkable.

Although the sky is the limit, this brand’s services can handle numerous requests and concerns. If you are interested in other styles of barefoot shoes, the variety of soles suitable for distinctive terrains will catch your eye for sure. Enhanced traction isn’t the only effect. A selection of Vivobarefoot toe-box silhouettes will work for men and women with different foot types — either narrow feet with an average instep or medium-wide feet with a milder toe slope and low instep.

Top models:

• Primus Lite III Mens — a top-notch choice for professional training purposes that allows for proper technique and high-end barefoot cross-training performance
• Motus Strength Mens and Womens — optimized support for active foot training sessions

Xero Shoes

Pros:

• Low-to-the-ground shoe construction for natural motion and agility
• 5,000-mile sole warranty
• Thousands of five-star reviews from the brand’s clients
• Non-elevated heels and wide-toe boxes
• Patented FeelTrue soles for maximum sensory feedback
• The Shoe Finder Quiz to identify your ideal pair of barefoot lifting shoes

Cons:

• You may come across fake websites
• Complicated return and exchange terms

We are about to show why Xero Shoes barefoot lifting shoes slay. However, first, our team would love to express our gratitude to the company for its fast shipping times and low prices. Compared to typical platform shoes suggested for powerlifting and similar training sessions, we are confident that professional tools from Xero Shoes will serve you much better:

• Having your toes spread is a huge advantage. It allows for enhanced grip with better stability, body posture, and movement control.
• Your brain will feel the surface you are standing on, and that’s where barefoot magic comes in. With these shoes, athletes can develop their strength and muscular control. You pay more attention to how your feet interact with the ground and access a bigger range of movements.
• Xero Shoes for weightlifting are designed to help you reduce the pressure on your body, especially on ankles and knees. In turn, you minimize the risk of injuries and make this experience safer.

Available in a huge range of sizes, from 6 US to 15 US on average, they will ensure you can feel every move and bend of your foot and achieve superior performance levels. Flexible soles, lightweight mesh designs, and breathable materials — here are some more reasons to opt for products from Xero Shoes. You will find solutions designed for ladies and gentlemen specifically, which is another bonus.

Top models:

• Forza Trainer for men — with a Velcro strap to ensure a reliable fit
• Mesa Trail WP — if you are seeking more multifunctional variants for gym and outdoor wear, this pair of waterproof trail runners is a luxurious offer
• Prio — a beginner-friendly choice with the freedom of movement and a mind-blowing selection of available styles and colors

Tolos

Pros:

• Machine-wash-friendly products
• Unisex designs
• Premium-class outsoles made of high-grip rubber for high abrasion and low-to-zero slippage
• Extra safety with internal TPU reinforcement
• Lightweight and water-repellant materials
• Custom packaging boxes with more information about barefoot shoes and their benefits

Cons:

• The fit isn’t true to the size — you may end up ordering a size up
• Several popular sizes are out of stock
• Not the best designs in terms of breathability

We find the quality of the products from Tolos more than satisfactory — its barefoot lifting shoes are suitable for beginner-level exercises, cross-training, and powerlifting. You will appreciate the general adaptability of the brand’s models and their ability to withstand pressure- and load-intense activities in the gym without being ruined after a few sessions.

At a nice cost, such designs will showcase their durability for athletic training, CrossFit, and lifting. They are gender-neutral and will work for different foot types and sizes. When we tried these shoes, we were impressed with how excelling they are in maintaining overall stability without compromising the available range of foot movements.

They are definitely wide-toe-box and zero-drop, which allows for anatomically correct bosy posture and supports the natural function and feel of feet. Although the palette of styles and designs is limited, it is a great sample of minimalism advantages for daily wear and professional training purposes.

Top models:

• Archetype 1.0 and 2.0 — a stunning engineering sample suitable for any occasion — from everyday wear to traveling and training in the gym

Whitin

Pros:

• Excellent entry-level barefoot lifting shoes
• Cost-efficient choices for different types of training, including casual runs, recreational lifting, and CrossFit
• Low maintenance with machine-wash-friendly efficacy
• Available in multiple colors

Cons:

• The wear and tear resistance is less impressive, compared to competitors
• Outsoles may produce weird sounds and squeak on some floors
• These won’t work for people with extra wide feet
• These models aren’t as lightweight as other products on the list (largely because of their rubber outsoles)

Whitin won’t impress you with advanced protection features or waterproof qualities in the toe-box area. On the contrary, it is a pretty standard solution in the barefoot lifting shoe market. The reason why we’ve decided to include this brand in our rating is simple — it produces efficient, comfortable, durable, and affordable products for men and women to try their skills in advanced training types without threatening their foot health.

They will work for different gym grounds. Thanks to abrasion-resistant and non-slip rubber soles, they won’t restrict your movement while not letting you get your feet injured. Besides, Whitin collections are remarkable when it relates to outdoor activities — feel free to test them on muddy trails too. Thin outsoles, zero drop, and wide toe box form the minimalist style of this manufacturer.

Top models:

• WHITIN Men’s Wide Minimalist Barefoot Sneakers — natural comfort at an affordable price, which will guarantee proper body balance and posture

Icarus Footwear

Pros:

• A nice palette of sizes for men and women — from 4.5 US to 14 US (with half sizes for a more solid fit)
• Improved paint finish for a lasting appearance
• Podiatrist-approved high-traction barefoot designs
• A lace loop to ensure the shoe’s tongue will stay where intended

Cons:

• Occasional shipping delays — up to two to three weeks
• Insoles may come out after a couple of uses
• Insoles may also slide backward in shoes

For beginners in weightlifting, Icarus products will be a nice way to secure your feet during different complex movements and ensure you are protected against injuries and concerns like Hammer toes. With attention-grabbing designs and symbolism, these shoes are excellent for people who want to get a more universal pair at an affordable cost.

The foot-shaped silhouette feels like being custom-made and doesn’t make your feet seem extremely chunky and bulky even though they are wide-toe-boxed. In our experience, such goodies won’t let you suffer — even with bunions, they will help you restore your confidence and pain-free enjoyment from walking.

The kit comes with tope spaces and insoles, which is a great addition and up-market service from the brand. Compared to solutions from the likes of Vivobarefoot and Xero Shoes, Icarus Footwear might not be as technologically advanced as them. On the other hand, they are definitely more eye-catching and stylish.

Top models:

• Ascent (Gen 2) — a black-and-gold charm combined with impressive comfort and true-to-size fit of natural foot-shaped barefoot lifting shoes

Bearfoot

Pros:

• Lightweight — 8 ounces only
• Wide-toe-box
• Flat outsole
• Breathable and lightweight heavy-duty canvas
• Classic sneaker designs for versatile indoor and outdoor experiences
• US-sourced production materials

Cons:

• There might be issues with understanding the sizing

These barefoot lifting shoes are excellent in terms of how much traction they provide, letting enthusiasts literally plant themselves into the ground for deadlifts, squats, and other bit motions. We really love that these products are created with weightlifting in mind and by a professional sportsman in the field, at that — Chris Duffin, a renowned powerlifter and strength coach, is the brand’s co-founder and inspirer.

The sleek designs you can find here are multi-optional. They will work excellently whether you are up for another SSB-squat hit or a walk with your pet. Overall, these models are appreciated for the features below:

• Enhanced sensory feedback — zero-drop shoes from Bearfoot.Store is all you need to make your lifts thoroughly and powerfully with minimized injury risks.
• Better joint alignment and posture — thanks to natural footwear construction peculiarities, you will stay confidently without your body forward. At the same time, you will experience enhanced proprioception and reduced back and joint pain in the long run.
• Leveled-up muscle engagement — it is essential that lifters don’t neglect their foot health and strengthen their feet. Barefoot shoes will be a nice tool to advance your powerlifting journey.

For subscribing to the company’s newsletter, you will get a free forty-dollar-worth gift for any purchase made on the platform. In combination with toe or deadlift splay socks, these barefoot lifting shoes will be even more efficient.

Top models:

• Ursus Canvas — a black low-top model at an affordable price that will work for any walking or training scenario

Inov8

Pros:

• Convenient sizing with EU, US, and UK measurements
• High-end affordability — far less than $100 per pair when discounted
• Super lightweight designs
• A nice range of sizes — from 7 US to 15 US
• Natural foot-shaped models with the Dynamic Fascia Band technology for efficient performance and leveled-up propulsion

Cons:

• Be careful with choosing light-colored shoes for training — their aesthetic beauty might shade away really fast
• A lack of extra wide toe box solutions
• They don’t come with a true-to-the-size fit, so you might need to go a size up

Bring your feet as close to the ground as possible with these amazing Inov8 barefoot shoes. When we say they are excellent for multiple training goals, we really mean it:

• increased sensory feedback with thin and zero-drop designs;
• enhanced protection thanks to technologies like Rope-Tec;
• reliable fit and grip with outsoles created to avoid any slippage hazard.

Made out of durable materials, these shoes will last. Designed as traditional-looking sneakers, they are marvelous for going out on a walk or spending time in the gym. Although Inov8 products are narrower than other wide-toe-box solutions on the list, they guarantee excellent traction and outstanding performance. With removable insoles, you can experiment with orthotics and footbeds that may address your foot concerns in a personalized and customized manner.

Top models:

• Bare-XF 210 V3 Men’s and Women’s barefoot lifting shoes — a stunning choice for those who want their feet to perform exceptionally and naturally in the gym

Wrap It Up: Are Barefoot Lifting Shoes Worth It?

There are several reasons to say “yes” to minimalist footwear suitable for powerlifting and other activities in the gym. Not only do they help address safety and foot health concerns properly, but they also allow for increased foot strength, ankle mobility, and overall stability. 

It won’t cost you a lot to test a pair of such shoes in practice. With the brands highlighted in this guide, you will be able to adjust your choice to your training goals and personal preferences literally in an instant. Barefoot lifting shoes won’t let you sacrifice foot strength and stability while ensuring you are prioritizing proper technique as well.

Can you see yourself wearing a pair of natural shoes with splay socks in the gym? Have you already experienced its benefits? Let us know in the comments below! No matter what, the maximum grip on different surfaces and extreme versatility such models offer will come in handy.